UTICA, NY - The Utica University men's soccer gets set for a three-game week against Russell Sage, Alfred and Hobart. Utica plays Russell Sage on Wednesday, October 9 at 7 p.m. and Alfred on Saturday, October 12, at 1 p.m. On Sunday, October 13 the team heads to Hobart for a 4 p.m. match.
 
Follow Along: Russell Sage live video and live stats. Alfred live video and live stats. Hobart live video and live stats.
 
Pioneer Pressure: The Pioneers have been a first half force at home during the 2024 season, outsourcing opponents by a 5-2 margin, giving up only two first half goals while scoring 5 of their own. This first half dominance has been due to an experienced Pioneer backline and midfield presence, coupled with their powerful press. Their early-game pressure has allowed their midfield to have the share of possession throughout the first 45 of almost every home game. The only thing missing is a couple second-half breakthroughs on offense, as the team has held a one-goal lead in five of their seven home games, but has only produced a two-goal lead in one of those matches. If the Pioneers can find a couple decisive second-half goals, they can use their superior defensive tactics to come away with successful results during the incoming Empire 8 playoff push.
 
Set-Piece Success: An avenue to achieving the decisive goal mentioned above may come from their knack for scoring off set-pieces. The Pioneers have scored four of their ten goals via set-piece, with three of them coming off of corners and one of them coming directly from a free kick courtesy of Anderson Velazquez (Norwood, NY/Marble Hill) in the game against Morrisville. Hopefully even more attacking pressure and possession down the stretch will give them more opportunities to get chances from the spot, corner, and free kicks.
 
Opening Volley: The Utica attack has been extremely dangerous within the first 15 minutes of almost every match. Across 11 games in 2024, the Pioneers have scored first six times. Not only that, but five of those six scores have come within the first 15 minutes of that specific match. Utica is adept at early-game attacks, exploiting the opponents weak points before they are able to assess the flow of the match. If the Pioneers can achieve this early-game success over their last eight games, they will have a chance to make some noise within the Empire 8.
 
About Sage: The Gators are 6-5 overall and 3-2 in league play. The team is coming off two consecutive wins against SUNY Cobleskill (3-1) and Fisher (2-1). El Hadji Iba Sy leads the team with five goals and 14 shots on goal. He has a goal in the last two matches while combining for seven shots. His only shot on goal against Fisher was a goal. Seven players are tied with at least one assist. Maximilian Bermann has started all matches, sporting a 1.20 goals against average and a .806 save percentage. Utica is 3-4-1 all-time against Fisher, most recently winning last season, 1-0.
 
About Alfred: The Saxons are 4-6-2 overall and 2-2-2 in conference play. Alfred drew with Elmira College 1-1 in its last match. Justin Eaton leads the team with seven goals, carding three in the last two matches against Nazareth and Houghton. He was held scoreless only three times in nine games played. Gavin Culley has five assists, three coming against Pitt-Bradford. Tyler Mulholland is the Saxon's starting goaltender, sporting a 1.33 goals-against average and a .720 save percentage.
 
About Hobart: The Statesmen are 1-4-4 overall and 1-1-2 in Liberty League play. Hobart's lone win came against Ithaca College, 4-1. La Zai Outerbridge and Quinn Phillips lead the way with two goals and one assist each. Matheus Souza and Will Slayton lead the Statesmen with seven shots on goal and Frederick Madsen leads with two assists while four other players have at least one.
 
Up Next: Utica hosts Hartwick on Wednesday, October 16 at 7 p.m. on Laura M. Casamento Field.